Letter of support to Georgian civil society

05.04.2024

Dear Georgian friends, colleagues, partners,

In the minds of people who remember the history of the 20th century, the concept of foreign influence is strongly associated with advancing conspiracy theories used for violations of human rights and prosecution of the innocent, from which both our nations suffered significantly. We trust that at the times, when democracy is being attacked from so many angles, it is even more important to unite pro-democratic forces and build firewalls against attempts of weakening it in our region and beyond.

We follow the developments with sorrow but also with admiration to the resilience you demonstrate, your spirit and unbrokenness. We know that freedom is deeply and inherently rooted in our societies, and even in the darkest hours of history the fight for it was never compromised.

We stay committed to continue supporting you with other initiatives in ways you find helpful.

Women Resource Center

The Coalition to Stop Violence against Women

Public Journalism Club

Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor

Peace Dialogue

Center for Community Mobilization and Support

For Equal Rights Educational Center

Article 3 Human Rights Club

Spitak Helsinki Group

Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Armenian Committee

Journalists' Club "Asparez"

Protection of Rights Without Borders

Women’s Rights House Gyumri

Armenian Progressive Youth

‘NGO Center’ Civil Society Development NGO

Democracy Development Foundation

Disability Rights Agenda NGO

Transparency International Anticorruption Center

Media Initiatives Center

Direct Democracy

Women’s Agenda

Law Development and Protection Foundation

Helsinki Association for Human Rights

Pink Human Rights Defender NGO

PEN Armenia

Human Rights House Yerevan

Isabella Sargsyan

Nvard Manasyan

NGOs released statement on the developments around the draft law on video surveillance systems

12.11.2024

The Law Development and Protection Foundation has joined the NGO statement regarding the developments surrounding the draft law for the mandatory installation of video surveillance systems with 24-hour access for the police. While the NGOs welcome the withdrawal of the draft law by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, they express concerns about the gradual approach being proposed, particularly in light of the challenges related to cybersecurity and personal data protection. This new initiative would allow police access to the surveillance footage from state and local self-government bodies. The NGOs emphasized the importance of involving the broader public in discussions about such initiatives and expressed their readiness to participate further and provide professional assistance.

The statement of a group of Armenian civil society organizations regarding the Armenia-EU visa liberalization process

30.09.2024

We, the undersigned civil society organizations, welcome the start of the visa liberalization dialogue between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union. This important step underscores the deepening cooperation between Armenia and the European Union, reflecting the willingness of both sides to foster closer ties, expand mobility and advance universal values. We express our willingness to support the implementation of commitments arising from this process through monitoring, policy development, public oversight, inclusive participation, and capacity building.

Statement Regarding Police Actions on May 27

29.05.2024

On May 27, 2024, during the protests, the actions of the RA police aimed at maintaining public order were accompanied by the mass detention of participants, violence against some participants, and cases of unlawful use of measures. Violence was also used against a member of the RA National Assembly near the ARF party office. As previously noted, the habitual conduct of law enforcement officers remains unchanged: they continue to engage in unlawful and disproportionate use of force, illegal detentions, and violations of the right to liberty during the exercise of the right to freedom of assembly. The use of such methods by the police is the result of a longstanding policy of impunity within the system, leading to the use of violent force becoming the main tool of the police. In conditions of public and political confrontation, the only way to prevent further tensions is the strict adherence to the principles of the rule of law and equal accountability before the law for all. Actions that violate human rights and exacerbate tensions or propagate hate speech must be avoided.

Letter of support to Georgian civil society

05.04.2024

With this letter we, Armenian civil society organizations and individuals, express our strong solidarity with you. We support you in your courage to stand against consistent and constant efforts by Georgia’s government to limit civic freedoms and fundamental human rights, including in the form of limiting the political participation of women, also by re-introducing the draft law on Transparency of Foreign Influence. In the minds of people who remember the history of the 20th century, the concept of foreign influence is strongly associated with advancing conspiracy theories used for violations of human rights and prosecution of the innocent, from which both our nations suffered significantly. We trust that at the times, when democracy is being attacked from so many angles, it is even more important to unite pro-democratic forces and build firewalls against attempts of weakening it in our region and beyond.

Statement on the Continuing Police Violence

03.04.2024

Although the Ministry of Internal Affairs expresses its willingness to understand the problems and to implement reforms, the recorded cases of continuous and systematic violence prove that the reforms are incomplete and ineffective. The principle of "Zero Tolerance for Violence", which should underpin any interaction between citizens and police officers, hasn't been established in the police. We, the undersigned civil society organisations, condemn the continued use of violence and torture by police officers. Given the current situation and the cases mentioned in the statement, the undersigned CSOs demand from the Prime Minister and the ruling party to implement real and radical reforms in the RA’s law enforcement system: the Police, investigative bodies, and the Prosecutor’s Office.

Joint Submission to the UN Committee Against Torture for the Fifth Periodic Report of the Republic of Azerbaijan

28.03.2024

This joint report is submitted to the UN Committee against Torture for the 5th review of Azerbaijan. The report is submitted by the Protection of Rights without Borders NGO, Transparency International Anticorruption Center, Democracy Development Foundation, Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly – Vanadzor, Law Development and Protection Foundation and International Partnership for Human Rights. The report focuses on the implementation of Azerbaijan’s commitments to prevent and combat torture, in particular, combat impunity for torture, prevent instances of torture and ill-treatment that are based on the ground of ethnic discrimination against ethnic Armenians, and guarantee access to effective remedy and redress. It also includes an assessment of the situation with gender-based violence, death in custody and enforced disappearances in the context of armed conflict.